Christian Reflection and Prayer

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and
cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, "No more of this!"
And He touched his ear and healed him (Luke 22:50-51).

Read Luke 22:49-51.

The sleepy disciples quickly awaken at the soldiers'
approach. Even though Jesus has stepped forward to
shield them (see John 18:4, 8), they ask their Master if
He wants them to strike with the sword and defend Him.
One doesn't wait for His answer. Peter attacks the servant
of the high priest.

Jesus is deeply concerned about the safety of His disciples
and those who have come out to arrest Him. Peter's rash
act threatens to escalate the tense situation into violence
and bloodshed, forcing the soldiers to rush in with drawn
weapons to put down the violence. Jesus immediately steps
in and defuses it. He commands His disciples to put away
their swords (see Matthew 26:52).

Then He demonstrates incredible care for the high priest's
servant whose ear Peter has severed. Jesus immediately
restores his ear and heals him. He brings peace and calm
out of impending chaos.

His actions perfectly display the love He feels for His Father
and for each of us. It's a love that will prompt His first words
from the cross in a few hours: "Father, forgive them, for they
know not what they do" (Luke 23:34b). And whether that
servant ever comes to faith in Jesus or not, for the remainder
of his life he will bear the evidence in his body of the last
miracle Jesus performed in His earthly life.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, You protected Your disciples while demonstrating
Your concern for a wounded soldier who had come out against
You. Give me such love toward my enemies that I may treat
them kindly and You may bring them to faith. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

"Confronting Hypocrisy with Love"
By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

While He (Jesus) was still speaking, there came a crowd,
and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading
them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss Him, but Jesus said
to him, "Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a
kiss?" (Luke 22:47-48).

Read Luke 22:47-48.

As Jesus wakens His disciples, a large company of soldiers
with torches, lanterns and weapons draws near. The Jewish
leaders intend to take no chances, so they bring enough
guards and soldiers to prevent any interference when they
take Jesus into custody. At their lead is Judas. He has
arranged a sign with the soldiers so there will be no
confusing Jesus with any of His disciples in the shadows of
the garden. "The one I will kiss is the man; seize Him"
(Matthew 26:48b).

Jesus points out the betrayer's heartbreaking hypocrisy,
"Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"
Judas could have chosen any impersonal way to single out
Jesus. Instead, he chooses a kiss, a gesture intended to
show affection, kindness and love. Jesus' gently pricks at
Judas' conscience, trying to lead him to see his horrendous
sin.

Judas should melt in tears, but he feels no guilt, no regret-at
least not at this moment when Jesus is present to forgive,
restore and comfort him. Yet none of us should conclude that
Jesus didn't try hard enough to reach Judas. He washed his
feet in the upper room, He shared his meal, and here in the
garden He gently called him by name, Judas; and then even
called him "friend" (see Matthew 26:50). Jesus was still
 holding out peace and forgiveness for Judas. It wasn't too late
for Judas; it's not too late for you and me.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, Your deep love for Judas is simply amazing,
especially when we see how deeply he hurt You. Give me
grace to forgive those who cut me to the heart. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Lenten Devotion

And when He (Jesus) rose from prayer, He came to the
disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and He
said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that
you may not enter into temptation" (Luke 22:45-46).

Read Luke 22:45-46.

Matthew and Mark's Gospels tell us Jesus' prayer lasted
about an hour-and He repeated it two more times. And
each time He went to check on His disciples. He longed
for their prayers, their presence, their support. How
disheartening is must have been to find them asleep.
Instead of rising up in prayer to meet the sorrow that
weighed heavy on their spirits, they sunk beneath it in
defeated sleep.

Jesus' exhausting struggle in prayer had prepared Him
for the grueling trial to come. Yet in their sleep His
disciples left themselves unprepared and vulnerable. He
awakens them, urging them to pray so they can
overcome the temptation to doubt and fall away from faith
when they see Him condemned and executed. They will
need to continue to pray in the hours and days to come
until they see Jesus' standing alive before them on
Sunday. Though they had failed to be there for Jesus, He
is there for them.

When we face difficult trials in life-especially trials of
faith-it is easy to grow weary and fatigued. Like the angel
He sent to Jesus, God strengthens us through His Word
and His gifts of Baptism and Holy Communion. We are
empowered to bear up under those burdens, and wrestle
our fears, struggles and heartaches. Through prayer God
prepares our hearts to embrace His perfect, fatherly will,
and to accomplish the amazing things He has planned for
our lives here on earth.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, strengthen my faith through the trials I face,
and teach me to persistently pray as You did. Then by Your
mighty power, glorify Your Name through all I do and say.
Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)